Key Takeaways:
- Federal judges have been overstepping their authority since President Donald Trump’s second term.
- Local judges in Wisconsin are now following suit, misusing their power in shocking ways.
- Three Wisconsin judges recently faced consequences for violating judicial conduct codes.
- Experts warn this trend is a dangerous copycat behavior learned from rogue federal judges.
Judges Acting Like Kings
In recent weeks, three Wisconsin judges have been caught misusing their power. This trend is part of a larger problem where judges, both federal and local, are overstepping their authority.
A recent analysis highlights how these judges are behaving more like rulers than impartial officials. They are ignoring the law and disrespecting the system they swore to uphold.
A Judge’s Shocking Behavior
One case involves Judge Ellen Berz of Dane County. She lost her temper when a defendant didn’t show up to court for a drunk driving case. The defendant was actually in the hospital. Judge Berz ordered her bailiff to fetch the man from the hospital. When the bailiff refused, she announced she would go herself.
Thankfully, Judge Berz changed her mind before things got out of hand. However, the Wisconsin Supreme Court still suspended her for one week. They ruled her actions were disrespectful and hurt public trust in the judiciary.
A Judge Helps a Fugitive Escape
In another shocking case, Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan was indicted for obstructing a U.S. agency. She allegedly helped a fugitive avoid arrest by federal agents.
Here’s how it happened: Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an illegal immigrant with a criminal record, was in Judge Dugan’s courtroom. When federal agents came to arrest him, Dugan reportedly misled them. After the agents left, she escorted Flores-Ruiz out of the courtroom through a side door. He was later caught after a chase.
This reckless behavior led to Judge Dugan’s arrest, jailing, and indictment. Her actions were a clear violation of the law and judicial ethics.
A Judge Threatens to Defy ICE
A third case involves Judge Monica Isham of Sawyer County. She sent an email to other judges, vowing to stop ICE agents from arresting anyone in her courtroom. She compared deportation to sending people to “concentration camps” and even joked about raising bail money.
Her actions and words were so extreme that they triggered an investigation. Experts say her behavior undermines the rule of law and erodes public confidence in the courts.
A Dangerous Trend
These cases are not isolated incidents. They are part of a larger pattern where judges, especially at the federal level, are overstepping their authority. Since President Trump’s second term, many federal judges have been acting like they have the power to make decisions for the executive branch. This includes issues like deporting illegal immigrants, firing employees, and altering programs created by executive orders.
The analysis warns that local judges are now imitating this rogue behavior. This is a dangerous trend that threatens the balance of power in our government. It also erodes public trust in the judiciary.
Experts Sound the Alarm
Judge James C. Ho of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has spoken out against this judicial overreach. He reminded us that our founding fathers rebelled against a king to prevent such abuses of power. “Our founders didn’t fight a Revolutionary War to replace one king in royal garb with hundreds of kings in judicial robes,” he said.
Ho emphasized that when district judges abuse their power to block lawful policies, appellate courts must step in to restore order.
The Root of the Problem
The Federalist commentary compares this trend to an old anti-drug commercial. In the ad, a father confronts his son for smoking marijuana, only to be told, “I learned it by watching you!” The message is clear: local judges are learning this dangerous behavior by watching rogue federal judges.
For years, leftist federal judges have been issuing questionable rulings to block Trump’s policies. This includes everything from deporting violent illegal immigrants to defunding universities and NGOs that abuse civil rights.
Now, local judges are following suit, thinking they can act above the law. This is a recipe for disaster.
What’s Next?
The cases of Judges Berz, Dugan, and Isham are just the tip of the iceberg. If this trend continues, it could lead to a full-blown crisis in our judicial system. The answer lies in holding these rogue judges accountable and restoring the proper balance of power.
As Judge Ho said, appellate courts must step in when lower courts abuse their power. Only then can we ensure that judges act as servants of the law, not kings in robes.
In the end, this is not just about a few bad judges. It’s about preserving the integrity of our courts and the trust of the American people. When judges act like kings, everyone loses.